Supercar rental Cont: which car to accompany your grand tour?

Continuing from my previous post Supercar Rental CONT. Where do I go now? I take a look at what car to take with you on this Grand Tour.

Supercar cont: which car to accompany your grand tour?

Where do we begin dream cars? Fast cars? Expensive cars?

My initial thought was rather obvious: Grand Tourers what with this being a grand tour and all.

So I set out with a list:

Nissan GT-R

Ford GT

Porsche 911 GT

Ferrari 550 Maranello

Ferrari F40

Ferrari 458 Italia

Ferrari F12 berlinetta

Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

Ferrari California

Ferrari FF

Ferrari 599

Audi R8

Mclaren mp4-12c

Aston Martin DB9

Aston Martin Vanquish

Bentley Continental GT

Bentley Continental GTC Speed

Maserati GranTurismo

Maserati Coupé

Maserati spyder

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Mercedes SL

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

Jaguar XJS

Jaguar XKR

Jaguar E type

 

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What I very quickly realised was I’ve got a job on here because the above list is huge (I can only take two cars on this trip) and also it doesn’t include any of the following cars which I would want to consider:

Jaguar F-Type V8 S

Lotus Evora

Bugatti Veyron

Ferrari  LaFerrari

Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

Mclaren 650 S

Mclaren F1

Lamborghini Murcielago

Lamborghini Aventador

Lamborghini Huracán

Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera

Zonda Revolucion

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Ok so how to get down to a short list, I guess start by establishing what credentials the car needs to have to be worthy of spending lots of time and money driving 60hrs with. It needs to be Beautiful, Fast, Sound ridiculous (for tunnel runs), have a stupid price tag and be an instantly recognisable super car. So were still no closer to a short list? For me my top five comes down to preference as it is so difficult to decide.

The short list…

5) Jaguar E type – The E type may be an antique but its just beautiful and while not the fastest car in the world it would be fun to drive, the E type is a car that posses something that you cannot just build: a soul. The E type was the last jag that truly set the world on fire and is worthy of a spot on the short list.

4) Aston Martin Vanquish – The ultimate grand tourer since 2001, do I need to add anymore? On release this car was most surely on everyones walls just beautiful from every angle and unlike the E type it will probably manage the whole trip without breaking down. The current 6.0L V12 model has a massive 565 BHP and its 457lb ft of torque will race to 60mph in 4.1 seconds so its very fast too.

3) Jaguar F-Type V8 S – This makes the list for two reasons one because Jaguar have finally found something to take over the mantel from the E type as a true super car and two because it just sounds mad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjJopTsqevs). Ohh and its so so so nice to look at!

2) Bugatti Veyron – The ultimate hypercar, doing what couldn’t be done and still retaining style comfort and the allure of a mystical beast (loch ness monster or big foot). While it is stupidly expensive (rightly so considering the development) and its fuel tank won’t get anywhere near the consumption of the others on the list. The Veyron (in a similar way that the Mclaren F1 changed everything), changes everything, even if its horsepower record has been beaten or a car can go faster it was the first and for that its noteworthy and deserving of the runner up place. The Veyron doesn’t win and probably can’t win in my eyes not through fault of its own, but because of it being placed on a pedestal by so many others the Veyron has become the top trump king, the go to car of brash people perceived to have little imagination who just want the biggest most expensive or fastest. With that said and typecasting aside it is a technically and visually wonderful car (even in gold or pink)!

 

1) Ferrari F12 Berlinetta – Everyone dreams of owning/driving/seeing/hearing about a Ferrari and I too am one of these people! The Berlinetta is my favourite Ferrari its insanely fast, its supermodel type good looks and like all top supermodels its looks divide opinion. A Ferrari tops the list because the Berlinetta like all Ferraris has a unique appeal that other cars don’t, the appeal of a Ferrari is a car that every man (and most women for that matter) would sell their mother just to sit in the passenger seat of one. In the UK they are so sparse in there viewings i’m sure just to see one would be a treat for most, this in itself is a reason to be top dog.

The final word… 

So theres my top five and I’ve probably upset every car fan everywhere with my choices…. Thoughts?

 

5 Epic Train Journeys

One of my passions is travel, I’ve been lucky enough to have experienced a lot of travel. I went on an epic month long train trip (inter railing) and I think one thing I want to do again is a few more epic train journeys. So here’s my personal top five journeys:

5 London to Inverness – Caledonian sleeper (http://www.scotrail.co.uk/sleeper)

The least exotic journey but I’d like to do this route one day, particularly as you are asleep during the mundane trip up the country and wake to the beautiful countryside of Scotland. I guess this route is more utilitarian to get you to your end destination.

Caledonian Sleeper

4 Budapest to Split Via Zagreb – 750km 18hours

So this is makes my top five as it is my most memorable and possibly the most uncomfortable journey. Starting in Budapest boarding an old fashioned train with holes for toilet facilities and old school harry potter-esq seating compartments. The train sets off at a slow pace and slowly eats up the miles towards Zagreb, stopping periodically as men randomly hit the underside to make sure there are no stowaways. As the barren landscape of eastern Europe unfolds ahead time seems to stand still as we wait at the boarder crossing passports checked and everything seems ok. Finally after serval hours Zagreb and a change of trains, punctuated with a dash for dinner which takes place in an underground bunker indicating the extreme winter weather that must be experienced in November or December but we are here in June and it is hot. Aboard another train and the journey continues at an even slower pace as if we’ve taken on serval extra passengers (in reality its just the old locomotive pulling us that is the problem). As it gets dark and we turn in for the night the lights ahead suggest we are not far from our destination however this was a false dawn its a some industrial works (perhaps a gas works?), What seems like an eternity passes and the sun starts coming up. As we begin to descend a rather steep incline the Adriatic unfolds beneath us like a blue and never ending canvass. At last we reach split its 7am and already 30’c time for a swim!

Budapest to Split Via Zagreb 750km

 

3 THE TRANS-SIBERIAN – Moscow to Beijing

One of the great travel adventures of lifetime taking in Russia, Mongolia and China, the three biggest countries. Most notably taking in Siberia, Lake Baikal, Buddhist Monasteries of Mongolia and Gobi Desert. From the imperial power of Moscow to the capital of the worlds biggest nation Beijing.

Tsars Gold: Moscow to Beijing

2 Vancouver to Banff – rocky mountaineer and Jasper to Vancouver

Named the first passage to the west as it retraces the steps of 19th century explorers, through the Rockies taking in some wondrous scenery. Then the Jasper leg which is punctuated with dramatic scenery of the Continental Divide and by the river valleys of the Monashee and Cariboo Mountains. Mount Robson, Pyramid Falls, Yellowhead Pass and the journey continues along the North Thompson River towards Kamloops. The fact that this railway actually exists given the terrane and harsh working environment that the engineers had to overcome is inspirational. Topped by the widescreen views that come and go as the journey unfolds.

1 Paris to Constantinople (Istanbul) – Orient Express

In 1883 the era of great international express trains began with the Orient Express from Paris to Constantinople (Istanbul). The fabled journey originally passed through 4 countries stopping in Strasbourg, München, Vienna, Budapest, Bucharest and finally arriving in Constantinople (Istanbul) serval days later. This is the route I am interested in although the route through Belgrade could be interesting? The reason for this being high up on my list is this was the romance of rail travel from one speculator city Paris through 5 more to Constantinople. What makes this an Epic Journey is that even now the journey will still take around two and half days.

Paris to Constantinople

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7 days in Hungary’s capital city Budapest…

First featured as a guest piece for Pretty green tea titled: A week in Budapest with twfx. I Write about my recent exploits in Budapest Enjoy!

“Well this is nice” said Emma as we entered a palatial hotel lobby having passed through a one ton revolving door, at this point after a few hours of travelling it was late (around midnight and we had been to my sisters wedding the night before), so even the grottiest of hotels would have seemed worthy of our praise. Our hotel (Continental Hotel Zara) was located in the hip and stylish Jewish quarter on the Pest side of Budapest. I realise I’ve started off without introducing myself while at the same time hijacking our usual blog service from our Persian speaking friend (Daisy for the misinformed). I’m Richard Till, Daisy’s long time friend, fellow DSLR toting geek squad member and an intermittent travel companion. I’m conscious that like most people with the gift of the gab, that I’m rambling so let me give you the facts:

7 days in Hungary’s capital city Budapest, the countries largest city with around 1.7m in the centre and further 2.5m people in the   surrounds that make up Budapest. Budapest centre being made up of two opposing sides Buda and Pest which are separated by the Danube which is intersected in numerous points by the statuesque collection bridges most impressive of which being the chain bridge.

So what does one do on a 7 day citybreak to Budapest well like most other citybreaks: eat too much, drink too much and rush around taking pictures of the cityscape and its sites from every angle and altitude. Budapest however, is different as it is the only capital in the world to not only have these great sites but also a thermal torrent running underneath its core, which means it has a plethora of baths which draws tourists in from far and wide. So in the city of spas, we toured the city in our 7 days taking in all the sites, there are a few which I will share with you, our trip to the largest baths in Budapest Szechenyi Bath, the gardens and fountain on Margaret Island and the cities vistas from Gellért Hill.

Margaret Island a 1.4 mile long island nestled in the middle of the Danube has various landmarks on it the picturesque art nouveau tower ‘Víztorony’ a 57m high octagonal water tower built in 1911, an open-air theatre and a fountain that dances along to a selection of 12 background songs.

However the most impressive feature dates back to when the royal family decided to turn Margit-sziget (Margaret island) into an ornate garden. This despite the heat of the summer contains some of the best kept green lawns, beautiful plants and flowers.

Szechenyi Bath the first bath on the pest side originally opened as “Artesian Bath” in 1881, only in 1913 was it made permanent and renamed Szechenyi bath. The bath is not only the largest but also in my humble opinion the best looking both outside and in with its charming yellow external cladding and impressive domed roofs. The Baths has an array of pools with temperatures varying from the shockingly cold 16’C to the alarmingly warm 40’c. Accompanied by Saunas, steam rooms and two massive outdoor pools, it represents a complete day full of relaxation, oh and the ice creams good too.

Gellért Hill at around 140m above sea level, named after Bishop Gellért (Gerald) famed for his mission spreading Christianity to Hungary. First tip don’t walk up the hill like we did at 12noon (traditionally the hottest part of the day) in the summer when its 35’c. Gellért hill is usually where the locals go for a Sunday afternoon hike, the wonderfully steep and windy paths slowly take hikers to the best views in budapest, from here you can see the whole of  the pest side in a wonderful panorama including the Chain bridge, parliament buildings, ST. Peters basilica.

Finally I would like to share with you if I may, the fascinating culinary delights of Budapest from goulash and noodle soups to lángos (yeast-based dough deep fried in oil topped with sour cream, cheese and your choice of toppings).

Budapest while it is famed as the city of spas, it should also be known as the city of cakes we sampled various our favourite where Kürtőskalács which are tube-shaped, sweet bread rolls covered in assorted toppings from traditional cinnamon to coconut and choclate, watching them being made is almost as good as eating them. They roll out the dough then wrap it around a wooden dolly which is then rolled around a flame to bake. Once cooked they dip it into the topping and its ready to eat.

To sample a taste of the real Hungarian cuisine, the Old market hall is the best place to start as it is where all the locals come and buy their supplies. The building itself is equally as impressive as the wide selection of food stuffs on sale. Paprika bunches, gargantuan watermelons and of course stalls selling local dishes extremely cheap (dishes priced around 600HUF £1.70/2.10€/$2.70). After this a stroll down any of the cities many restaurant lined streets, will reveal like most other cities, every European cuisine and more can be sampled at varying price brackets and that there is something for everyone.

Getting to budapest couldn’t be easier now with all major airlines flying in and out of Budapest’s main airport Ferihegy International and its well established transfer links into the centre. Such as ‘airport shuttle’ a minibus airport transfer company who will take you from the airport to any address in the centre of Budapest for a flat fee which at time of writing is £15/$23/18€ (Airport shuttle). Hotel and Hostel options in budapest are plentiful from the high end such as Hilton budapest westend, Continental Hotel Zara (where we stayed) and Corinthia Hotel Budapest to budget hotels like Ibis, Easyhotel and Novotel. Hostels are plentiful and a very good option if traveling and wanting a more laid back option I can recommend Marco polo hostel which spans five floors and is centrally located. One thing to note is that picking a cheaper but further out hotel is not a bad option as the whole city is well connect by metro, tram and bus network. 1, 3 and 7 day passes are available from stations and some shops for the public transport network and is a good way to get about and means a hotels just outside of the main area can still be a useful base for exploring the city.

I have loads more pictures from our trip on Flikr. Ohh and FYI normal service will resume from Daisy next.

 follow me on twitter @twfx for more odd ramblings and irrelevant links.